THE FIRST TEST.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18263, 23 December 1924, Page 11

THE FIRST TEST.

ENGLAND DISMISSED FOR' 298. HOBBS MAINTAINS HIS REPUTATION. (by cable—rr.Bss association— coptright) (AUSTKAIJAX AND CABLE A3SOCIATIOX.) (Received December 22. '-15 P- m -) SYDXEV. December 22. The first Test match. England v. Australia, was continued to-day. When Hobbs and Suteliffe went to the creases the rain had cleared off and the weather was beautifully line and warm, with the wicket in good condition, but the outfield was a bit dead. Gregory and Mailcy opened the bowling. Neither troubled the batsmen unduly, though Gregory was rising awkwardly, sometimes head high, and had to be watched. Hobbs, who received most of the early bowling, piled up a score rapidly, adding 51 by the luncheon adjournment. Both men showed themselves pastmasters at running between the wickets and gained many runs which less experienced men would not have seen. They went out for every possible run, Ilobbs displaying nice judgment in placing his strokes. He stepped out to MaiJey and hit him hard. Suteliffe, who was not so much at home with Mailey, scored slowly at first. Ho swung his bat stylishly and reached 50 in 120 minutes. Mailcy, on the whole, kept a good length, but occasionally sent down a full toss which went to the fence. Hobbs had two narrow escapes. When the score was l--t he was nearly stumped by Oldtield, and at 134 lie was almost thrown out by a sharp return by A. Richardson. The Australian fielding had improved considerably compared with Saturday's display, Vie Richardson, particularly, picking up and returning in fine style. About an hour after starting Collins received news of his sister's death, his place in the field being taken by Ryder. Tho flags on the stands wero half-masted, and after lunch both teams wore black arm bands. One hundred and fifty appeared aftor 152 minutes' batting. Suteliffe was playing Mailcy defensively, and Bardsley placed tho field close in. Tho move was successful, Suteliffe being trapped by the fifth ball of Mailey's first over after lunch, V. Richardson making a line catch at mid-off. Suteliffe had batted for 160 minutes. This was Mailey's eighteenth over for 73 runs. The first wickot yielded 157 runs. Hobbs's century, which was mado in 171 minutes, was received -with cheers all round the ground. Gregory and Mailey showed considerable improvement. Hobbs continued to step out to those of Mailey's which came well up and blocked others. Finally he fell to ono of Gregory's, which he snicked into Kelleway's hands at third slip. Hobbs received a tremendous roception on leaving the ground. He batted for 219 minutes and hit seven fours. Ho played a masterly innings, and upheld his reputation as the world's greatest batsman. Tho second century was compiled in 217 minutes. The attendance reached 20,000. As the afternoon .advanced it was seen that England's chances of reaching Australia's total were very small. Hearne, Woolley, Sandham, Chapman, Freeman, and Gilligan went cheaply. Ho'ndren, as in the match against New South Wales, made a determined stand. To him fell the .honour of hitting the first six of the match, putting a high on£ from Gregory over tho fence. He gave one chanco which Bardsley failed to accept. He reached 50 in seventy-eight minutes. Chapman was thrown out beautifully by Andrews, who was relieving Taylor through the latter's indisposition. Bardsley made frequent changes in the bowling, Mailey, Gregory, and Kelleway being used in turn, the honours of the day going to the first two. When the score was at 270, Tate gave a difficult chance to Andrews. The next ball he made an exactly similar stroke, which found Andrews ready. Hendren played a magnificent innings. The timing of his leg strokes was superb. Ho batted for 113 minutes, and hit one six and six fours. The innings lasted 302 minutes. The Englishmen's collapse places Australia in a strong position. A. Richardson bowled one maiden over. Australia commenced their second innings with forty minutes to go, Bardsley taking strike to Gilligan. In Collins' absence A. Richardson partnered him. Runs came quickly, Bardsley doing most of tho scoring, placing his strokes all round the wicket. Tate, bowling splendidly, got Bardsley's wicket with the fourth ball of his third over. Richardson was stepping out to Freeman and hitting hard. Fifty appeared in 31 minutes. Scores:— ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, c Kelleway, b Gregory .. 215 Suteliffe, cV. Richardson, b Mailey 59 Hearne, c Andrews, b Mailey .. 7 Woolley, b Gregory .. .. 0 Hendren, not out .- i 74 Sandham, b Mailcy .. 7 Chapman, run out .. ►. 13 Tate, c Andrews, b Mailey 7 Gilligan, b Gregory .. 1 Freeman, b Gregory .. ..0 Strudwick, lbw, b Gregory .. <i Extras .. •• v. 0 Total •• ..298 Bowling. —Gregory five for 111, Kelleway none for 14, Mailcy four for 129, Hendry none for 5, A. Richardson none for 0. Fall of tho wickets. —One for 157, two for 171, three for 172, four for 202. five for 235, six for 254, seven for 272 eight for 274, nine for 274, ten for'2!)S. . AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, c Hendren, b Tate .. 114 Bardslev, c Woolley, b Freeman .. 21 Ponsford, b Gilligan .. ~110 A. Richardson, b Hearne 22 Taylor, b Tate .. .. 43 V. Richardson, b Freeman 42 Kelleway, c Woolley, b Tate .. 17 Hendry, c Strudwick, b Tate _ 3 Gregory, c Strudwick, b Tate 0 Oldfield, not out „. ~39 Mailey, b Tate ~ 21 Extras IS Total .. 450 Bowling: Tate, six for 130; Gilligan, one for 92; Freeman, two for 124; Hearne, one for 28; Woolley, none for 35; Hobbs, none for 13; Chapman, none for 10. Fall of wickets: One for 46, two for 236, three for 275, four for 286, five for 364, six for 374, seven for 387, eight for 387, nine for 388, ten for 450. Second Innings. Bardsley, b Tate .. A. Richardson, not out 30 Kelleway, not out :. ~ 9 Total for one wicket _ 61